SOUTH BEND, Ind. -For Notre Dame’s Bob Davie, yesterday’s season opener against Texas A&M was the most important game in his three-plus seasons as the head coach of this storied program.

A loss and the Irish were staring at a disastrous start, after last season’s horrific 0-4 finish. A loss and the Notre Dame faithful would have become Judas. A loss, with mighty Nebraska coming to town next week, would have set up a season in shambles.

“At least for one week, the pressure is off of him,,” said Notre Dame receiver Javin Hunter.

Hunter is one reason talk about Davie’s future at Notre Dame will be put on hold for at least one week. Hunter’s 46-yard touchdown reception from Arnaz Battle sparked the Irish to a 24-10 come-from-behind win over the Aggies.

The four-game losing streak is over. The possibility of escaping the first month of the season with a .500 record is very much alive. And so is Davie, the embattled head coach who went 5-7 last season and now is 22-16.

“It wasn’t a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination,” said Davie. “I don’t even know if we played real good. But we played with a lot of heart.”

Davie and the Irish have a pulse thanks to a defense that took a big first step, and a quarterback, Arnaz, who passed his a big test in making his first career start. After an ugly first quarter, Arnaz settled down to complete 10-of-16 passes for 133 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Last year’s starter, Jarious Jackson, telephoned Battle Friday night and offered some words of advice and encouragement. He also issued Battle a challenge.

“He said, ‘Go out there and bring Notre Dame back to where it’s supposed to be,'” said Arnaz.

Next week the Irish will be heavy underdogs to mighty Nebraska. Then comes Purdue and Michigan State.

“It was a real big win for Coach Davie,” said defensive end Anthony Weaver. “We know he’s been under heat but he’s never put that pressure on the team. He’s never said, ‘We have to win. This is my job.’ If there is pressure, he’s created an environment where we don’t feel it.”

Notre Dame (1-0), won this game in the second half by making some clutch plays, whereas the Aggies (0-1) made two critical third-quarter errors that cost them the game. With the score tied 7-7 at halftime, A&M came out at the start of the second half and seemed intent on running the ball down the Irish’s throat. They came one yard from succeeding.

The Aggies, aided by two blatant pass interference penalties on Clifford Jefferson, drove to a fourth and goal at the one. A&M lined up to run it in with 275-pound Ja’Mar Toombs.

But when tight end RoDerrick Broughton jumped, the Aggies had to settle for a 23-yard field goal by Terence Kitchens. A&M led 10-7 but after holding the ball for the first 7:35, three points was a lousy payoff.

Then came the two plays that changed the game. After forcing ND to punt, A&M quarterback Mark Farris, throwing out of his end zone, lofted a perfect pass down the left sideline to Chris Taylor. The ball fell right into Taylor’s hands and then onto the ground. Instead of lining up for a PAT, A&M lined up to punt.

The Irish took over on Notre Dame’s 44. On second down, Battle rolled right and lofted a spiral down the right sideline. Hunter ran under the pass, caught it inside the 10 and dashed into the end zone, giving Notre Dame a 14-10 lead.

“When you go on the road, you have to make those plays,” said Farris. “There were four or five plays that were the difference in a game like this. They made them and we didn’t.”